Structural framing member

Abstract

A structural framing member comprises a web flanked by a pair of flanges. The flanges may extend generally perpendicularly from the side edges of the web. In some embodiments, the web may comprise a plurality of evenly-spaced embossments positioned along the centerline of the web. The embossments may be diamond shaped. The web may further comprise one or more longitudinally extending offsets that extend along the length of the web. Each flange may comprise a plurality of evenly-spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners. The longitudinally extending stiffeners may be spaced approximately ⅜″ (0.953 cm) apart from each other. In some embodiments, each flange may further comprise a free end, which is bent inwardly to form a return lip along the length of the flange. The return lip may extend generally perpendicularly from the flange and generally parallel to the web. The structural framing member may comprise a stud, track member, or other framing member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A metal stud comprising:
 a. a web, wherein the web comprises
 i. a longitudinal centerline, 
 ii. a first side edge, 
 iii. a second side edge, 
 iv. a plurality of embossments, wherein the plurality of embossments consists of embossments positioned generally along the longitudinal centerline of the web such that the longitudinal centerline of the web intersects each embossment, wherein each embossment comprises a longitudinal width and a transverse width, wherein the longitudinal width is greater than the transverse width, wherein at least one of the plurality of embossments is not contiguous to any openings in the web, and 
 v. at least one longitudinally extending offset, wherein the at least one longitudinally extending offset is positioned closer to one of the first side edge and the second side edge than to the plurality of embossments; 
 
 b. a first flange, wherein the first flange is attached to the first side edge of the web at a first fixed end, wherein the first flange is oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of the web, wherein the first flange comprises
 i. at least one longitudinally extending stiffener, and 
 ii. a first free end distal from the first fixed end, wherein the first free end is bent to form a first return lip; and 
 
 c. a second flange, wherein the second flange is attached to the second side edge of the web at a second fixed end, wherein the second flange is oriented generally perpendicular to the plane of the web, wherein the second flange comprises
 i. at least one longitudinally extending stiffener, and 
 ii. a second free end distal from the second fixed end, wherein the second free end is bent to form a second return lip. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The metal stud of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending offset is a first longitudinally extending offset, wherein the first longitudinally extending offset is positioned between the longitudinal centerline and the first side edge; and, wherein the web further comprises a second longitudinally extending offset, wherein the second longitudinally extending offset is positioned between the longitudinal centerline and the second side edge. 
     
     
       3. The metal stud of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending stiffener in the first flange comprises at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners; and wherein the at least one longitudinally extending stiffener in the second flange comprises at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners. 
     
     
       4. The metal stud of  claim 3 , wherein one of the at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners in the first flange extends along a longitudinal centerline of the first flange. 
     
     
       5. The metal stud of  claim 4 , wherein one of the at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners in the second flange extends along a longitudinal centerline of the second flange. 
     
     
       6. The metal stud of  claim 3 , wherein the at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners are spaced apart about ⅜″ (0.953 cm) apart from each other. 
     
     
       7. The metal stud of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first flange and the second flange further comprises a knurled portion. 
     
     
       8. The metal stud of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of embossments comprises a diamond shape. 
     
     
       9. The metal stud of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embossments each comprise generally the same shape. 
     
     
       10. The metal stud of  claim 1 , wherein the web further comprises at least one punchout. 
     
     
       11. The metal stud of  claim 1  further comprising an inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity is defined by the web, the first flange and the second flange. 
     
     
       12. The metal stud of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of embossments extends inwardly into the inner cavity. 
     
     
       13. The metal stud of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending offset extends inwardly into the inner cavity. 
     
     
       14. The metal stud of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one longitudinally extending stiffener in the first flange extends inwardly into the inner cavity, wherein the at least one longitudinally extending stiffener in the second flange extends inwardly into the inner cavity. 
     
     
       15. A metal stud comprising:
 a. a web, wherein the web comprises
 i. a longitudinal centerline, 
 ii. a first side edge, 
 iii. a second side edge, 
 iv. a plurality of embossments, wherein the plurality of embossments are positioned on a central portion of the web along the longitudinal centerline of the web, and 
 v. a first offset, wherein the first offset is positioned between the longitudinal centerline and the first side edge, 
 vi. a second offset, wherein the second offset is positioned between the longitudinal centerline and the second side edge, 
 vii. a first outer portion that extends from an exterior longitudinal edge of the first offset to the first side edge, wherein the distance from the exterior longitudinal edge of the first offset to the first side edge is less than the distance from the exterior longitudinal edge of the first offset to the plurality of embossments, and 
 viii. a second outer portion that extends from an exterior longitudinal edge of the second offset to the second side edge, 
 wherein the central portion of the web comprises a central web surface extending from an edge of at least one of the plurality of embossments to an interior longitudinal edge of the first offset, wherein the central web surface is substantially planar; 
 wherein the central portion of the web, the first outer portion, and the second outer portion are all substantially coplanar with each other; 
 
 b. a first flange including a fixed edge and a free end, wherein the fixed edge of the first flange is attached to the first side edge of the web and extends generally along the first side edge in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of the web, wherein the first flange comprises at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners, and wherein the first free end is bent to form a first return lip, and 
 c. a second flange, including a fixed edge and a free end, wherein the fixed edge of the second flange is attached to the second side edge of the web and extends generally along the second side edge in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane of the web, wherein the second flange comprises at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners, and wherein the second free end is bent to form a second return lip. 
 
     
     
       16. The metal stud of  claim 15  further comprising an inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity is formed by the web, the first flange and the second flange. 
     
     
       17. The metal stud of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the plurality of embossments extends inwardly into the inner cavity. 
     
     
       18. The metal stud of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the at least three longitudinally extending stiffeners in the first flange extend inwardly into the inner cavity and open outwardly away from the inner cavity. 
     
     
       19. The metal stud of  claim 16 , wherein the first offset extends inwardly into the inner cavity, wherein the second offset extends inwardly into inner cavity. 
     
     
       20. The metal stud of  claim 15  wherein the first flange extends from the web at a first flange angle, wherein the first flange angle is between about 85 degrees and about 95 degrees, wherein the second flange extends from the web at a second flange angle, wherein the second flange angle is between about 85 degrees and about 95 degrees. 
     
     
       21. The metal The stud of  claim 15 , wherein the first return lip extends from the first flange at a first lip angle, wherein the first lip angle is between about 45 degrees and about 100 degrees, wherein the second return lip extends from the second flange at a second lip angle, wherein the second lip angle is between about 45 degrees and about 100 degrees. 
     
     
       22. A metal track member comprising
 a. a web, wherein the web comprises
 i. a first side edge, 
 ii. a second side edge, 
 iii. a longitudinal centerline, and 
 iv. a plurality of embossments, wherein the plurality of embossments consists of embossments positioned generally along the longitudinal centerline of the web such that the longitudinal centerline of the web intersects each embossment, wherein each embossment comprises a longitudinal width and a transverse width, wherein the longitudinal width is greater than the transverse width, wherein at least one of the plurality of embossments is not contiguous to any openings in the web; 
 
 b. a first flange including a first, fixed, side edge and a second, free, side edge, wherein the first side edge of the first flange is attached to the web at the first side edge thereof, wherein the second side edge is hemmed, wherein the first flange comprises at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners, and 
 c. a second flange including a first, fixed side edge and a second, free, side edge, wherein the first side edge of the second flange is attached to the web at the second side edge thereof, wherein the second flange comprises at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners, and wherein the first and second flanges are oriented generally perpendicular to a plane of the web. 
 
     
     
       23. The metal track member of  claim 22  further comprising an inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity is defined by the web, the first flange and the second flange. 
     
     
       24. The metal track member of  claim 23 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of embossments extends inwardly into the inner cavity. 
     
     
       25. The metal track member of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners in the first flange extend inwardly into the inner cavity, wherein at least one of the at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners in the second flange extend inwardly into the inner cavity. 
     
     
       26. A framing assembly comprising:
 a. a u-shaped first track member, wherein the first track member comprises
 i. a base portion defining a web, wherein the web comprises
 1. a first side edge, and 
 2. a second side edge, 
 
 ii. a first flange attached to the web at the first side edge, wherein the first flange comprises at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners, 
 iii. a second flange attached to the web at the second side edge, wherein the second flange comprises at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners, and 
 iv. a cavity defined by the web, the first flange, and the second flange; and 
 
 b. a c-shaped stud, wherein the stud comprises
 i. a base portion defining a web, wherein the web comprises
 1. a longitudinal centerline, 
 2. a first side edge, 
 3. a second side edge, 
 4. a plurality of embossments, wherein the plurality of embossments are positioned generally along the longitudinal centerline of the web, wherein at least one of the plurality of embossments is not contiguous to any openings in the web, 
 5. a first longitudinally extending offset, wherein the first longitudinally extending offset is positioned between the longitudinal centerline and the first side edge, wherein the first longitudinally extending offset is positioned closer to the first side edge than to the plurality of embossments, and 
 6. a second longitudinally extending offset, wherein the second longitudinally extending offset is positioned between the longitudinal centerline and the second side edge, wherein the second longitudinally extending offset is positioned closer to the second side edge than to the plurality of embossments; 
 
 ii. a first flange, wherein the first flange is attached to the web at the first side edge, wherein the first flange comprises
 1. at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners comprising a first middle longitudinally extending stiffener and two first outer longitudinally extending stiffeners, wherein the first middle longitudinally extending stiffener is aligned with a longitudinal centerline of the first flange and the two first outer longitudinally extending stiffeners are equally spaced on either side of the first middle longitudinally extending stiffener, and 
 2. a first return lip, and 
 
 iii. a second flange, wherein the second flange is attached to the web at the second side edge, wherein the second flange comprises
 1. at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners comprising a second middle longitudinally extending stiffener and two second outer longitudinally extending stiffeners, wherein the second middle longitudinally extending stiffener is aligned with a longitudinal centerline of the second flange and the two second outer longitudinally extending stiffeners are equally spaced on either side of the second middle longitudinally extending stiffener, and 
 2. a second return lip, and 
 
 iv. a first end, wherein the first end is inserted into the cavity of the first track member such that
 1. the web of the stud is oriented generally perpendicular to the web of the first track member, 
 2. a portion of the first flange of the stud is positioned adjacent to the first flange of the first track member, and 
 3. a portion of the second flange of the stud is positioned adjacent to the second flange of the first track member. 
 
 
 
     
     
       27. The framing assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the web of the first track member further comprises a longitudinal centerline and a plurality of embossments, wherein the plurality of embossments is positioned generally along the longitudinal centerline of the web of the first track member. 
     
     
       28. The framing assembly of  claim 26  further comprising a u-shaped second track member, wherein the second track member comprises
 a. a base portion defining a web, wherein the web comprises
 i. a first side edge, and 
 ii. a second side edge, 
 
 b. a first flange attached to the web at the first side edge, wherein the first flange comprises at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners, 
 c. a second flange attached to the web at the second side edge, wherein the second flange comprises at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners, and 
 d. a cavity defined by the web, the first flange, and the second flange; 
 wherein the stud further comprises a second end, wherein the second end is inserted into the cavity of the second track member such that
 i. the web of the stud is oriented generally perpendicular to the web of the second track member, 
 ii. a portion of the first flange of the stud is positioned adjacent to the first flange of the second track member, and 
 iii. a portion of the second flange of the stud is positioned adjacent to the second flange of the second track member. 
 
 
     
     
       29. The framing assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the web of the second track member further comprises a longitudinal centerline and a plurality of embossments, wherein the plurality of embossments is positioned generally along the longitudinal centerline of the web of the second track member. 
     
     
       30. The framing assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the first end of the stud is inserted into the cavity of the first track member such that the at least three longitudinally extending stiffeners in the first flange of the stud are oriented generally perpendicular to the at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners in the first flange of the first track member, and the at least three longitudinally extending stiffeners in the second flange of the stud are oriented generally perpendicular to the at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners in the second flange of the first track member. 
     
     
       31. The framing assembly of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners in the first flange of the first track member extend inwardly into the cavity, wherein at least one of the at least two longitudinally extending stiffeners in the second flange of the first track member extend inwardly into the cavity. 
     
     
       32. The framing assembly of  claim 26 , the stud further comprises an inner stud cavity defined by the web, the first flange, and the second flange of the stud. 
     
     
       33. The framing assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one of the embossments in the web of the stud extends inwardly into the inner stud cavity. 
     
     
       34. The framing assembly of  claim 32 , wherein at least one of the at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners in the first flange of the stud extend inwardly into the inner stud cavity, wherein at least one of the at least three evenly spaced longitudinally extending stiffeners in the second flange of the stud extend inwardly into the inner stud cavity. 
     
     
       35. The framing assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the first longitudinally extending offset of the stud extends inwardly into the inner stud cavity, wherein the second longitudinally extending offset of the stud extends inwardly into the inner stud cavity.